Device and method for artifical insemination of bovines and other animals

ABSTRACT

An artificial insemination (AI) device for the insemination of bovines and other animals including three hollow and essentially cylindrical tubular elements. Each element is provided with an open proximal and an open distal end, the three elements being: an outer protective sheath, an inner sheath, and a semen tube, whereby the diameter of the elements is such that the inner sheath is axially movable in the outer protective sheath and the semen tube is axially movable in the inner sheath, whereby the length of the outer sheath is less than the length of the inner sheath and whereby the inner sheath and the semen tube are jointly axially displaceable in and through the outer sheath. An outer sheath, an inner sheath and a semen tube for use in an AI device and to a method for the insemination of bovines and other animals, includes the steps of inserting through the cervix and into the uterine horn, a closed tubular element to a point near the major curve of the horn, opening the tubular element by protrusion of an inner tubular element and manually guiding it into the curve of the horn and positioning the distal end of the inner tubular element near the ovary, and further providing semen nearby the UTJ through an internal semen channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for theartificial insemination of bovines and other animals.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0002] Worldwide, artificial insemination (AI) has penetrated about 80%of the dairy industry but only about 5% of the beef producing industry.One reason is the need for skilled personnel, veterinarians andtechnicians, trained to grasp the cervix via the rectum and to guide theAI pipette into or through the cervix.

[0003] In the traditional AI, the inseminator must insert theinsemination tube into the cervix by developing the tactile skill towork through the wall of the large intestine while pushing the tubeforward through the vagina with the other hand. The cervix is more than10 cm long (10,16-15,24 cm in beef cattle) and often has several bends(e.g. “s” or “v” shape in some Brahman cattle), and has several verytight sphincters through which the Al tube must be guided. Hence thereis the ever present danger of perforating the wall of the cervix or theuterus with the inseminating tube, causing injury to the animal. Becauseof these difficulties, it is often impossible to advance theinseminating tube very far into the cervix, with a corresponding lowerinsemination efficiency and conception success rate.

[0004] Several artificial insemination devices are known, for example asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,231 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,700.

[0005] An overview article on AI is found in Acta Vet. Scand. 1998, 39,149-163 “Deep Uterine Insemination of Cattle: A fruitful Way Forwardwith Smaller Numbers of Spermatozoa” by Hunter and Greve. As in thepresent invention the importance of the site of fertilization and ofspermatozoa deposition, i.e. near the utero-tubal junction (UTJ) isexplained.

[0006] While these devices and methods have been a great advancement inartificial insemination, reducing time, expenses and effort, andincreasing effectiveness, there are still a number of problems.

[0007] The major disadvantage of the deposition of the semen at theposterior end of the uterus is the great loss (about 60%) of theinseminated semen. Only about 40% of the insemination remains in thefemale genital tract and only 0.1% of this reaches the place offertilization in the oviduct.

[0008] One problem is that these devices do not deliver the optimumquantity and concentration of semen that will maximize the probabilityof conception since there is no way to assure that all of the semen istransferred from its storage straw into the uterus of the animal withoutany losses.

[0009] Another problem is that these devices do not simplify thedeliverance of the optimum insemination dose and diluting fluid requiredto accommodate the cervices and uteri of animals of varying sizes sincethere is no way to vary the dose while preserving the optimum quantityand concentration of semen.

[0010] Due to the extreme curvature of the uterine horn when a cow is inoestrus, deposition of semen is normally performed in the cranial partof the cervix or in the uterine body. Seldom, the semen is deposited inthe major curve of the uterine body. The distance of the ejected sementowards the mature ovum in the oviduct remains considerable and resultsin a lower insemination efficiency and conception success rate. Incontrast to pigs, in cows normally only one oocyte per cycle ovulatesunless they are hormonally treated for superovulation. Because cattle isa monovular species, it is very important that the semen is present inthe top of the uterine horn at the site of ovulation. Because palpationof the ovaries often causes rupture of the mature follicle and loss ofthe occyte in the abdomen, the side of the ovulation is usually notdetermined during insemination. This means that a lot of sperm is neededto establish fertilization in one of both oviducts, at the side ofovulation if the semen is deposited at the cranial end of the uterus.

[0011] The article “Fertilization rates in superovulating cows afterdeposition of semen on the infundibulum, near the uterotubal junction orafter insemination with high numbers of sperm” in Theriogenology (May1998, Vol. 29, No. 5, p1131-1142), Hawk et al. describes a method anddevice comprising three pieces of non-standard equipment forinsemination at the uterotubal junction consisting of:

[0012] a) a stainless steel tube 60 cm long, 6.3 mm outside diameter and4.4 mm inside diameter for penetrating the cervix;

[0013] b) a flexible teflon tube (TFS No. 9^(d)) 90 cm long and 4 mmoutside diameter for passing through the uterine horns; and

[0014] c) a nylon rod 105 cm long to expel semen from the teflon tube. Around epoxy bead was formed around one end of the teflon tube tofacilitate passing the tube through the uterine horns. Two cotton plugswith polyvinyl-chloride powder between them were inserted into the endof the teflon tube adjacent to the epoxy bead and there was a 1 ml airspace between the plugs and the end of the tube. The nylon rod wasmarked to permit expulsion of semen in 0.5 ml quantities. Although thisdevice is an improvement on site of deposition of the semen in theuterine horn, this device requires the use of cotton plugs and nylonrods which need to be manipulated by at least two skilled people.

[0015] According to the method disclosed by Hawk in the above-mentionedpublication, semen is housed in a tube closed off with cotton plugs onone end. A syringe fitted with a length of tygon tubing was used totransfer 1 ml of the semen into the teflon insemination tube. The teflontube is then inserted into the stainless steel sheat, so that the epoxybead was seated into one end of the steel tube. The use of such a tubeis only possible in a recti-linear manner. It is impossible to move thecotton plugs and the polyvinyl chloride forward through the teflon tubeif it makes a sharp curvature of the contractile uterus of a cow.

[0016] In these known methods semen is lost at various steps of theoperation. Some semen is left behind in the storage tube when it ismixed with the diluting fluid in the ampule. Some semen is also leftbehind in the ampule when the semen mixed with diluting fluid isaspirated into the pipette. And finally, some semen is left behind inthe pipette when the semen mixed with diluting fluid and loaded in thepipette is pushed with air or a nylon rod out of the pipette.

[0017] These losses of semen produce an inseminating fluid charge with alow sperm concentration and a corresponding low fertilization successrate. In addition, the insemination dose and diluting fluid cannot bereadily adjusted to accommodate the various sizes of cervix and uterusfound among animals of different sizes, breeds and species. Thus aninsemination device with an improved ability of delivering an optimumquantity and concentration of semen, and that lends itself to deliveringan optimum insemination dose and diluting fluid, is desirable.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide anartificial insemination (AI) device and method for bovines and otheranimals with improved semen delivery.

[0019] It is also an object of the invention to provide an AI device andmethod, which deliver the optimum quantity and concentration of semen.

[0020] It is another object to deliver the optimum of quantity of semennear or as close as possible near the utero-tubal junction (UTJ), wherefertilization takes place.

[0021] It is another object of the invention to provide an AI device andmethod, which delivers an optimum insemination dose and diluting fluid.

[0022] It is a further object of the invention to provide an AI deviceand method, which will optimize the fertilization success rateregardless of the decreased sperm quality and the varying sizes of theanimals.

[0023] It is another object to provide an AI device and method providingan improved delivery site for the semen near the utero-tubal junction.

[0024] Another important object of the invention is to deposit the semenas close to the fertilization place as possible, avoiding contaminationof the uterine environment.

[0025] It is another object to inseminate as close as possible to theplace of fertilization without causing damage to the uterine mucosa, andcertainly without perforating the uterine wall.

[0026] It is another object of the invention to provide a method anddevice that can be adapted to other animals and for other compounds,such as antibiotics and embryo's.

[0027] A final important object of the invention is to develop aninsemination instrument and technique, which prevents spreading ofvenereal diseases (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea, Bovine Herpesvirus-1,Campylobacter Foetus) from one cow to the other in or between differentlivestocks.

[0028] The AI device according to the invention comprises an artificialinsemination device for the insemination of bovine and other animalscomprising three hollow and essentially cylindrical tubular elements,each element is provided with an open proximal and an open distal end,said three elements being:

[0029] an outer protective sheath,

[0030] an inner sheath, and

[0031] a semen tube,

[0032] whereby the diameter of said elements is such that the innersheath is axial movably in the outer protective sheath and the sementube is axial movably in the inner sheath and whereby the length of theouter sheath is less than the length of the inner sheath and whereby theinner sheath and the semen tube are jointly axially displaceable in andthrough the outer sheath. The AI device according to the invention isespecially adapted for the introduction of semen, but may also be usedfor the delivery of antibiotics or other pharmaceuticals and even forembryo's.

[0033] The use of an inner and an outer sheath makes it possible toprovide an improved positioning of the distal end of the AI deviceaccording to the invention. The use of three elements results in asuitable site of deposition for the semen, i.e. near the utero-tubaljunction. This suitable deposition site is obtained into two main steps.First step is performed mainly by the introduction of the rigid outersheath, which encloses at least the distal part of the inner sheath andthe semen tube. The distal end of the outer sheath is positioned throughthe cervix in the vagina and extends close to the uterine wall. A secondsubsequent positioning step is obtained via the protrusion of at least aflexible part i.e. the distal end of the inner sheath jointly with thesemen tube through the outer sheath. Due to the flexible material of thedistal end of the inner sheath and the semen tube a curve is made suchthat the distal extend end reaches easily a position near the UTJ. Thissecond positioning step is preferably controlled by manual guidance ofthe distal end of the protruded flexible part of the inner sheath andthe semen tube. Once in a suitable position near the utero-tubaljunction semen is ejected. The semen introduction near the UTJ isperformed without any spoilage due to the fact that the semen tube is aseparate element housed in the inner sheath. The semen is during theexpelling operation protected by the enveloping or covering action ofthe inner sheath, which is especially adapted therefor. The inner sheathis provided with a flexible distal part and suitable closure means forpartially closing off the semen tube. As a consequence no unintentionalof spoilage of any semen occurs during the overall positioning of thecombination semen tube and inner sheath. The introduction of the semenis an intentional and controlled action once the distal end of the innersheath with the expelling opening for the semen has reached a suitableposition near the utero-tubal junction. The semen is expelled with aspecific action such as an air pressure pulse performed on the proximalend of the semen tube. The semen is forced out of the semen tube onlywhen it is in a suitable deposition site. The distal end of the sementube is enclosed in the inner sheath. Preferably the distal end of thesemen tube is in a frictional contact with the inner wall of the innersheath. When the inner sheath protrudes through the outer sheath, thesemen tube will—passively—follow the movement of the inner sheath.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment an artificial insemination is providedwherein the inner sheath comprises at least a rigid part and a flexiblepart. The use of said flexible part provides an advantage, i.e. has thepossibility of following the curvature of the uterine horn withoutdamaging the uterine wall. In a preferred embodiment the distal end(introduced in the cervix and uterus) of the flexible part is providedwith a cervix protector element having at least one ejection port whichpreferably extends at least partially in the radial direction of theinner sheath. Such a specific ejection port is suitable for the ejectionof semen when required and closes off the outer sheath and the sementube during their positioning. Provided with said cervix protectorelement the joint introduction of the outer sheath and the semen tubecan be performed without any harm to the cervix of the bovine to beinseminated.

[0035] More preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosedin sub-claims 5-15 and will be elucidated with reference to thedrawings.

[0036] The invention is also related to a method for the insemination ofbovines and other animals. In general the method according to theinvention comprises two position steps for positioning the distal end ofan AI device. In a first step the position of a rigid tubular element,the outer sheath is performed through the cervix into the uterus. Inthis first introduction step the semen tube and the inner sheath arepartly more in particular enveloped by the outer sheath. The proximalend of the semen tube and the inner sheath extends through the proximalopening of the outer sheath. Preferably the semen tube is essentiallycompletely introduced in the inner sheath. The closure means of theinner sheath simultaneously closes off the outer sheath and the sementube. In a second positioning step the flexible part of the inner sheathtogether with the semen tube is further introduced via protrusionthrough the outer sheath into the uterine horn near the UTJ. The closuremeans of the inner sheath closes off the semen tube during thisintroduction. Once the distal part of these joint tubes has arrived nearthe UTJ a controllable delivery of the semen is performed. The semen isforced out of the semen tube through a radial opening in the closuremeans of the inner sheath. In the present invention the inseminatedbovine is never harmed and all the available sperm is delivered on asuitable position. If necessary, manual guidance of the distal end ofthe inner sheath can assist the positioning of the distal end. When asuitable position of the distal end is obtained semen can be ejected.All these manipulations can be performed by one person, such as theinseminator only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the ensuing description which is given merely by way of examplewith reference to accompanying drawings in which:

[0038]FIG. 1 shows an overview of an artificial insemination assemblyaccording to the invention, the three parts are interrupted in thelongitudinal direction, it being understood that, at the scale at whichit is represented, the complete length would be distinctly greater thanthe length of the drawing sheet, and

[0039]FIGS. 2a and 2 b show cross sectional views of the proximal anddistal end respectively of an artificial insemination assembly accordingto the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The entire artificial insemination assembly 1 essentiallycomprises three hollow cylindrical open or semi-open tubular elements,which are each axial movably in a sliding motion mounted in one another.These three elements are: an outer protective and rigid sheath 2suitable for the penetration of the cervix, an inner sheath 3 and thesemen tube 4. The diameter of those three elements is such that thesemen tube, having the smallest diameter, is axial movable in the innersheath 3, and the inner sheath is axial movably in the outer sheath 2.The outer sheath 2 has a length which is smaller than the length of theinner sheath 3 and is essentially made out of a rigid material suitablefor penetrating the cervix.

[0041] The proximal end 10 of the AI device 1 is the end which protrudesout of the bovine during insemination allowing at all times amanipulation of the outer and the inner sheath and of the semen tube atwhich ends an external manual handling is performed. The distal end 11of the AI device 1 is the end which takes position in the reproductiveorgan of the bovine when insemination is performed.

[0042] The outer sheath has a rigid cylindrical form and is closed offvia the cervix protector element 16 provided on the inner sheath. Thecervix protector element 16 is attached at the distal end of the innersheath 3. In a suitable position of the inner sheath 3, i.e. extendingpartly on the proximal side, the cervix protector element 16 closes theouter sheath 2. A closed outer sheath 2 carrying partly the inner sheath3 and the semen tube 4 is introduced through the anterior vagina, thecervix in a rectilinear movement, up to a position when the distal endof the inner sheath makes contact with the uterine wall. Once thisstraight lined introduction of the outer sheath enveloping partly theinner sheath and the semen tube a curve extension will be necessary inorder to reach a suitable position near the UTJ.

[0043] The inner sheath 3 is axial movable mounted in the outer sheath 2and has at its proximal end, a small annular handling disc or thumb rest5 which permits shifting the inner sheath by means of the thumb of theuser into a position touching the finger flange 6 of the outerprotective sheath 2. This sliding action results in a protrusion of aflexible part 7 of the inner sheath 3 into the uterine horn.Manipulation by hand will guide said flexible part 7 around the majorcurve of the uterine horn and will position the distal end near the UTJ.Semen content 8 in the semen tube can at this position be deliverednearby the UTJ. The inner sheath 3 has a tubular body which is adaptedto receive at one end a supply of semen contained in an open semen tube4.

[0044] The inner sheath 3 is provided with cervix protector means 13 forprotecting the cervix of the bovine. Said cervix protector means 13 willclose off completely the outer sheath 2 and will close off at leastpartly the semen tube thereby preventing entrance of uterine contents.Due to the specific form of the cervix protector means no spoilage ofany semen (closing off the semen tube) is assured during theintroduction of the AI device. Furthermore, the rounded tip avoidsdamage to the uterine wall when introduced. Once the outer sheath isintroduced a joint introduction of a flexible part of the inner sheathand the semen tube will be performed. The cervix protector has a smoothend 16. During the complete introduction of the AI device this smoothend will protect the uterine lumen. The tube containing the semen istotally free of toxic components that could be harmful to cells. The topof the inner sheath is preferably a round enlarged top, from which theinner diameter decreases to the top 15. This prevents loss of semenbetween the insemination tube and the inner sheath.

[0045] The path of the flexible part of the inner sheath and the sementube in the uterine lumen can be followed through the wall of the largeintestine by rectal palpation. The exact positioning of the semendeposition can be located by palpating the cervix protector element ofthe inner sheath.

[0046] For hygienic reasons the AI device according to the invention ispreferably made of disposable materials, for single use only. As anexample hereunder dimensions and materials are listed for each elementin table 1.

[0047] The flanges on the proximal end 10 of the inner sheath 3 preventthat the inner sheath 3 could accidentally come out of the outer sheath2. The semen tube 4, which is inserted in the inner sheath 3, is fixedto it by frictional means caused by the insertion of an injection needle21 in the tube 4. This needle 21 also provides a good fixation of thesyringe on the tube 4 and into the inner sheath 3. The cervix protectorelement of the inner sheath 3 closes the inner and outer sheath, so thatno dirt can enter the instrument when it is inserted into the femalegenital tract. This prevents contamination of the uterine environmentand semen.

[0048] The semen tube 4 is made out of a flexible material and isprovided with adaptor means 9 at its proximal end 10. These adaptormeans 9 comprise in the depicted embodiment a needle hub(LuerLock®-coupling 12) for housing a syringe. This syringe will forcethe semen 8 in and out the semen tube 4.

[0049] The semen tube 4 is axial movably mounted in the inner sheath 3.The adaptor means 9 could be a syringe or a plunger-rod adapted to expelthe semen from the tube and prior to the insemination to suck up thesemen from a semen container. The semen tube has a total volume within arange of 0.25-1 ml and preferably from about 0.5 ml.

[0050] Semen of a chosen bull (Cassou straw of 0.25 ml) is normallypreserved in a closed container with liquid nitrogen. In the classicinsemination technique, the straw is thawed and opened at one side andinserted in the insemination instrument. The semen is expelled by movingthe cotton plugs forward by means of a stainless steel rod. For theinsemination instrument according to the invention, no straws can beused. The straws are first thawed at 37° C. during one minute and thenthe semen (0.25 ml) is then expelled in an ampule which contains 0.25 mlsodium citrate. The total of 0.5 ml is sufficient for a successfulinsemination by the deposition of 0.25 ml semen solution for eachuterine horn.

[0051] The use of an open semen tube at the distal end is an advantagefor the filling of the semen tube with the semen originating from asemen container. The use of a suction device, for example a syringe atthe proximal end of the semen tube will force the semen out of thecontainer into the semen tube. No semen is wasted in this way in thefilling of the semen tube. As the semen tube is a separate element usedin the AI device according to the invention and herein only serving forthe transport deposition of semen in a site, no semen is lost in thedeposition, i.e. insemination step. Ejection of semen out of the sementube through the distal end of the inner sheath (the cervix protectionmeans 13) is also done under control of a pushing or forcing device,which can be a syringe. As it becomes apparent a syringe is a preferredtool for filling and emptying the semen tube. Semen can also be “sexed”i.e. detected on the X or the Y sex chromosome, for example by the useof known techniques, such as flow cytometry or immunological techniques.

[0052] The inner 3 and outer 4 sheath is of the type having a thicknesswhich is substantially constant throughout its length and having at afirst open end, the proximal end or insemination end distal end.

[0053] Due to the slightly broadened frusto-conical element 17 at theoverlap of the adaptor means 9 at the proximal end 10 of and the sementube 4 it is possible to lock the semen tube 4 on the inner sheath 3.This rubbing contact, which is also a result of the widening of thediameter of the tube 4 by the insertion of the needle 21, between theelement 17 and the annular opening 18 of the flange 5 will result in acombined axial movement of the tube 4 with the inner sheath 3. Whenpushing the thumb rest or finger flange 5 toward the finger flange 6 ofthe outer sheath 2 the semen tube will migrate along over the samedistance or will retard a little.

[0054] Once the flexible part 7 of the inner sheath 3 protrudes throughthe outer sheath 2, the distal end of the semen tube will be forced tomake the same sliding movement. The flexible part 7 of the inner sheath3 can be manually guided into the uterine horn. When the distal end ofthe inner sheath 3 is close to the UTJ a suitable semen deposition siteis obtained. With the same hand, which has performed the axial movementof the flanges (5,6) guide, an expelling instrument, such as preferablea syringe, the semen 8 is expelled out of the semen tube 4 through theejection port 14 near the UTJ. This is an important advantage of thepresent invention. One person only, i.e. the inseminator, can performthe insemination, using one arm and hand to guide the flexible part 7 ofthe inner sheath and the other for the control of the axial movement atthe proximal end of the elements 2,3 and 4, and the control of theexpelling instrument for expelling the semen out of the semen tube.

[0055] In order to improve the smooth movement of the semen towards thedeposit side near the UTJ the semen tube is locked onto the innersheath. For these purposes a frictional fixation is available orseparate fixation means can or may be provided on the proximal end ofthe semen tube 9 by means of fixation legs 23 which are provided on aseparate flange 22. A corresponding protrusion 24 is provided on theflange 5 of the inner sheath 3. The semen tube 4 and the inner sheath 3are when joint together axially moveable in and through the outer sheath2. In order to further improve a smooth movement and more in particulara smooth curved movement of the joint parts, i.e. the flexible part ofthe inner sheath 3 and the semen tube 4, a tubular rigid tip is providedat the distal end of the semen tube. Preferably, this is a smallcylindrical metal tip made of stainless steel which will lower the riskin tendency for bending or cracking. Semen is deposited immediately inthe ejection part.

[0056] The insemination device according to the invention preventsdamage to the sperm, caused by environmental factors (light, cold). Itis not transparent and made of materials with a low heath conductivity.Light causes an increase of oxidation reactions and release of reactiveoxygen species, which causes membrane damage of the spermatozoa anddeath. A sudden decrease beneath 15° C. causes a cold shock effect inthe spermatozoa and death.

[0057] The insemination technique according to the invention makes itpossible to use:

[0058] a. lower number of spermatozoa in the inseminate

[0059] b. frozen-thawed sperm cells that are especially vulnerable topassage along the full extent of the uterus

[0060] c. sexed sperm cells (separated X and Y chromosone bearingspermatozoa) available in relatively low numbers

[0061] d. sperm cells whose DNA status may have been modified byspecific treatment.

[0062] It should be clear that the present invention is not restrictedto bovine nor to insemination of semen. Other animals, for examplehorses, deer, etc. can be treated in a similar way. Embryos, antibioticsand other compounds and compositions can also be delivered using thepresent device and method. As a practical example preferred lengths andpreferred materials of the components of the AI device are given intable I. TABLE 1 Element Length Internal diameter External diameterMaterial Outer sheath 2 50 cm 3.2 mm 5.5 mm PS-SB Inner sheath 3 55 cm1.95 mm 3.0 mm ABS Outer flange 6 3.0 mm 3.10 mm 1.7 cm PVC Inner flange5 3.0 mm 4.7 mm 1.7 cm PVC Cervix protection means 5.0 mm ABS Flexiblepart 7 16 cm 2.5 mm 3.0 mm PVC Semen tube 4 73 cm 1.0 mm 1.8 mm PE Sementube metal end 2.5 cm 1.0 mm 1.8 mm STAINLESS STEEL

1. An artificial insemination device for the insemination of bovines andother animals comprising three hollow and cylindrical tubular elements,wherein each element is provided with an open proximal and an opendistal end, said three elements comprising: an outer protective sheath;an inner sheath, and; a semen tube, whereby the diameter and arrangementof said elements is such that the inner sheath is axially movable in theouter protective sheath and the semen tube is axially movable in theinner sheath, whereby the length of the outer sheath is less than thelength of the inner sheath, and wherein, the inner sheath and the sementube are jointly axially displaceable in and through the outer sheath.2. An artificial insemination device according to claim 1, wherein thelength of the semen tube is substantially equal to the length of theinner sheath.
 3. An artificial insemination device according to claim 1,wherein the inner sheath comprises at least a rigid part and a flexiblepart.
 4. An artificial insemination device according to claim 3, whereinthe inner sheath comprises a rigid part near the proximal end and aflexible part near the distal end, wherein both parts are axiallyinterconnected forming a passage for the semen tube.
 5. An artificialinsemination device according to claim 4, wherein the flexible part atthe distal end is provided with cervix protector element having anejection port for the ejection of semen and closure means for closingoff the outer sheath.
 6. An artificial insemination device according toclaim 4, wherein the flexible part has a length from 1 cm to 40 cm. 7.An artificial insemination device of claim 4, wherein the inner sheathis provided at its proximal end with a handling disc.
 8. An artificialinsemination device of claim 1, whereby the outer sheath is provided ata proximal end with a finger flange.
 9. An artificial inseminationdevice of claim 1, whereby the length of the outer sheath is from 40-60cm.
 10. An artificial insemination device of claim 1, whereby the twosheaths are made of disposable material.
 11. An artificial inseminationdevice of claim 1, wherein the semen tube is flexible.
 12. An artificialinsemination device of claim 1, whereby the semen tube is provided withadaptor means for coupling of a semen expelling instrument.
 13. Anartificial insemination device according to claim 12, whereby theadaptor means are formed by a needle hub for a syringe as a semenexpelling instrument.
 14. An artificial insemination device of claim 1,wherein a distal end of the semen tube is provided with a tubular rigidsemen tube end.
 15. An artificial insemination device of claim 1,whereby a proximal end of the semen tube is provided with fixation meansfor coupling the semen tube into the inner sheath.
 16. The artificialinsemination device of claim 1, wherein the outer sheath comprises acylindrical tubular body with and open distal end and open proximal end,and a finger flange at the proximal end having a length of 40-60 cm andmade out of rigid disposable material.
 17. The artificial inseminationdevice of claim 1, wherein the inner sheath comprises a cylindricaltubular hollow body with an open proximal end and a at least partly opendistal end provided with a finger flange at the proximal end having afirst rigid part having a length of 20-60 cm and a second flexible parthaving a 5-30 cm and made out of a disposable material.
 18. Theartificial insemination device of claim 1, wherein the semen tubecomprises a cylindrical tubular hollow body made out of a flexible anddisposible material with an open distal end and at a proximal end isprovided with adaptor means, for a syringe.
 19. Method for inseminationof bovines and other animals, comprising the steps of inserting throughthe cervix and into the uterine horn, a closed tubular element assemblyto a point near the major curve of the horn, opening said tubularelement assembly by protrusion of an inner tubular element and itmanually guiding the inner element into the curve of the horn andpositioning a distal end of the inner tubular element near the ovary,and providing semen nearby the utero-tubular junction (UTJ) through aninternal semen channel.
 20. Method according to claim 19, wherein theprotrusion of the inner tubular element is performed once an outertubular element has been introduced through the cervix.
 21. Methodaccording to claim 19, wherein semen is expelled once the distal end ofthe inner tubular element has been positioned near the utero-tubaljunction.
 22. Method for insemination of a bovine whereby an inseminatoruses one hand to guide a distal end of an device while his second handis used to manipulate a proximal end of the device.
 23. Method forinsemination of a bovine according to claim 22, whereby his second handis used to control a semen expelling device.
 24. (Cancelled)
 25. Theartificial insemination device of claim 6, wherein the flexible part hasa length from 5-30 cm.
 26. The artificial insemination device accordingto claim 25, wherein the flexible part has a length from 10-20 cm. 27.The artificial insemination device of claim 9, wherein the length of theouter sheath is from 45-55 cm.
 28. The artificial insemination device ofclaim 10, wherein the disposable material comprises a synthetic plastic.29. The artificial insemination device of claim 18, wherein the adaptormeans comprises a LuerLock®.